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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has amended the export policy for waste and scrap of primary cells, batteries and electric accumulators, moving the product from the ‘Free’ to the ‘Prohibited’ category until further orders.
The Government of India has prohibited the export of lithium-ion battery black mass and certain categories of battery waste and scrap with immediate effect, according to a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on November 10.
The notification, issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, amends the export policy for waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators.
Under the revised policy, the export of spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators that are unsorted and do not contain lead, cadmium or mercury has been moved from the ‘Free’ category to the ‘Prohibited’ category.
The restriction also covers lithium-ion battery black mass, a material recovered from used lithium-ion batteries during the recycling process. Black mass contains valuable materials, including lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese, which can be recovered and reused in battery manufacturing.
Previously, exports of the specified category of battery waste and scrap were allowed under the free export policy. However, following the latest amendment, exporters will no longer be permitted to ship these materials overseas until further orders.
More from BusinessThe government said the notification would come into effect immediately. It also clarified that transitional arrangements under Paragraph 1.05 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, would apply.
The move brings changes to India’s export policy for battery waste and scrap at a time when the recycling of lithium-ion batteries is gaining importance amid the expansion of electric vehicles, battery storage and clean energy industries.
